Dhaka: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir announced today that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to India is contingent upon the creation of an appropriate environment, with no specific date yet set for the anticipated bilateral meeting.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Kobir addressed journalists at the Foreign Ministry, emphasizing that the timing of the visit will be decided based on mutual respect, national interests, and the availability of the prime ministers from both countries. He indicated that discussions regarding the visit are ongoing, despite the absence of a fixed date.
Kobir dismissed suggestions that talks between Dhaka and New Delhi had stalled, stating that continuous dialogue does not necessitate an immediate date. He highlighted the impact of the incident on August 5, where former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s media interaction from New Delhi affected the sentiments of the Bangladeshi populace, prompting Dhaka to express its position clearly.
The state minister also mentioned the cancellation of an international seminar in New Delhi on August 29, which involved speakers linked to Bangladesh’s Awami League. He viewed this as a ‘positive step’ by India and reiterated Bangladesh’s stance against providing sanctuary to individuals accused of terrorism or serious crimes in each other’s territories. Kobir expressed hope for continued goodwill initiatives by both nations.
In a previous interview with BSS, Kobir stressed the importance of adequate diplomatic groundwork prior to the Prime Minister’s first visit to India, advocating for a summit-level engagement grounded in mutual trust, confidence, and respect for sovereignty.